"Yoon Birthday Chorus and Arrest Prevention Mobilization Also 'Workplace Harassment'"

Civic Group Workplace Bullying 119 Claims
"Appropriate Disciplinary Actions and Punishments Needed"

The Presidential Security Service has been accused of mobilizing staff for various personal errands and events related to President Yoon Seok-yeol and his wife, raising claims that this constitutes workplace harassment.

On the 26th, the civic group Workplace Bullying 119 stated, "If employees were forced to prepare talent shows for events under the orders of their superiors against their will in the workplace, this is workplace harassment and a violation of human rights." The Security Service is suspected of mobilizing staff for activities such as singing a birthday congratulatory song for President Yoon during the 60th anniversary event of its establishment. It is reported that not only Security Service staff but also police officers were mobilized for this event.

Kim Sang-hoon, Deputy Director of the Presidential Security Service, appeared as a witness at the first hearing of the "Special Committee on the National Assembly Investigation into the December 3 Emergency Martial Law Incident" held at the National Assembly on the 22nd, responding to Chairman Ahn Gyu-baek's request for cooperation in the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office's search of the presidential residence. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Workplace Bullying 119 also judged that the Security Service's obstruction of the execution of arrest warrants could be seen as workplace harassment. The group stated, "If the Security Service instructed employees to block the lawful execution of arrest warrants or ordered the manager of the Bihwa phone server to delete call records, this is also an unfair order and workplace harassment."

Additionally, the group criticized allegations that the Security Service ordered employees to buy clothes for the President and First Lady’s pet dogs or individually sent links to sign petitions opposing impeachment, labeling these as types of workplace harassment involving personal errands and forced political views.

The group revealed similar workplace harassment consultation cases, saying, "There are still many workplaces with a 'Kim Seong-hoon (Deputy Director of the Security Service)' in our company." One case reported, "The company forced all employees to attend a year-end party at 9 p.m. on December 31 and announced that absence would be treated as a leave of absence. At this event, employees were also forced to prepare a group dance as a talent show." Another case shared, "My superior repeatedly asked me to bring personal items left behind after I left work or to take care of personal belongings, demanding errands unrelated to work," expressing their concerns.

In response, Workplace Bullying 119 said, "It is difficult for workplace democracy to take root in our society when even the Presidential Office, which should set an example, engages in harassment," and added, "Appropriate disciplinary actions and punishments must be taken."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.